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Best Spring Outdoor Plants for Kiwi Gardens
Spring has arrived, bringing back vibrant colours and fresh veggies to your garden! Grab your gloves and let's dig in!
Last updated: 6 September 2024
Spring is here, and with it comes the age-old tradition of turning your garden into a riot of colour and fresh spring veg — or at least trying to avoid turning it into a jungle of weeds. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or someone who thinks mulch is a type of dessert, this guide is here to help you know the best plants and trees for Kiwi gardens. Grab your gloves, don your sun hat, and let’s get those hands dirty.
Spring planting in NZ
From cheerful flowers to lush hedges, spring offers a fresh start for your garden. Here’s a quick rundown of what to plant:
1. Flowers
Spring is when your garden can explode with colour, and these flowers are ready to take centre stage. Planting now means they can establish strong roots and start blooming as the weather gets warmer.
- Lavender: Known for its soothing scent and hardy nature, lavender is a must-have. It thrives in sunny spots and well-drained soil.
Buy lavender plants.
Poppies: These vibrant blooms are made for spring planting. They love the cooler soil temperatures and will burst into colour just as your garden starts to come alive.
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Tulips: Tulips are the ultimate spring flower, bringing bright, cheerful colours to your garden. They’re easy to plant and maintain, and their bold blooms make a strong statement in any outdoor space.
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Petunia: Perfect for hanging baskets, garden beds, or borders, the petunias long blooming season means you’ll enjoy them well into the summer.
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Daisies: Hardy and cheerful, daisies thrive when planted in early spring. They’ll quickly fill your garden with their classic, sunny faces, welcoming the warmer days ahead.
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2. Vegetables
Spring is prime time for starting your vegetable garden. The warming soil and longer daylight hours give these veggies the perfect conditions to grow.
- Lettuce: Fast-growing and easy to harvest, lettuce planted in spring will give you a continuous supply of fresh, crunchy leaves throughout the season.
Buy lettuce plants.
Carrots: The cool, but not too cool weather helps carrots develop sweet, tender roots, ready for summer harvest.
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Broccoli: Planting broccoli in the cooler spring weather. Space the plants around 30cm apart to grow sturdy, nutrient-packed florets.
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Spinach: Spring’s cooler temperatures are perfect for spinach, which prefers to grow before the hot summer months.
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Peas: Sweet and tender, peas thrive when planted in early spring. Sow them 5cm apart and support them with stakes for climbing.
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3. Fruits
Spring is also a great season to sow fruit-bearing plants, giving them a head start to produce a delicious summer and autumn harvest. Here are the best picks for our climate:
- Strawberries: Plant in a sunny spot with rich, well-drained soil. Space them 30 cm apart to allow runners to spread. With a bit of patience, you’ll have juicy, sweet berries for summer desserts.
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Blueberries: These bushes not only yield tangy, delicious fruit but also provide stunning fall foliage. Space plants 1-1.5 meters apart and add organic mulch.
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Citrus trees: Plant citrus trees in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Space them 3-4 meters apart to ensure healthy, fruitful growth.
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Feijoas: These hardy trees will give you lots of yummy, tangy fruit while adding an exotic look to your garden’s landscape.
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4. Herbs
Fresh herbs are a must for any garden, and spring is the perfect time to plant them. Here are a few tips to help them thrive:
- Basil: As it’s more of a Mediterranean herb, basil needs full sun with well-drained soil. Space plants 20-30 cm apart for lots of growth.
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- Coriander: Spring planting is ideal for coriander, as it grows quickly in the cool, fresh soil.
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- Parsley: Sow parsley in a sunny to partially shaded area with rich, well-drained soil. Space plants 20 cm apart for a steady supply of leaves.
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- Mint: Plant mint in a sunny spot with moist, well-drained soil. Keep it contained as it spreads quickly. Perfect for adding to summer drinks and dishes.
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- Rosemary: Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for rosemary. Space plants 30-60 cm apart to accommodate its growth.
Buy rosemary plants.
5. Hedges
Establishing hedges in spring gives them plenty of time to root and grow before the heat of summer arrives. Here are some great options:
- Pittosporum: A Kiwi favourite, Pittosporum will quickly fill out to create a lush, green hedge.
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- Griselinia: Known for its glossy, green leaves, Griselinia establishes well in spring, creating a lovely dense hedge.
Browse griselinia plants.
- Lilly pilly: Fast-growing, Lilly Pilly (Australian cherries) is a popular choice that produces a red or purple edible fruit.
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- Boxwood (Buxus): Perfect for neat, formal hedges, Boxwood thrives when planted in spring.
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- Camellia: Camellias are a lovely hedge, and if you plant them in spring, you should see them start blooming in the cooler months.
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Seeds vs. plants: getting your garden started
Spring is all about choices. One of the biggest? Deciding whether to start your garden from scratch with seeds or jump ahead by buying established plants and trees. Here’s a quick rundown of what each option involves:
Starting from seeds
- Easy on the wallet: Growing plants from seeds is usually cheaper than buying grown plants. One packet of seeds can give you heaps of plants, so it’s a great option if you’re looking to fill up your garden without spending a fortune.
More variety: With seeds, you can get your hands on a wider range of plants than you’ll find at the garden centre. This is especially true if you’re after something unique or rare that’s not available as a seedling.
- Hands-on control: When you start from seeds, you’re in charge from day one. You can give your plants all the TLC they need right from the start, which can lead to healthier, stronger plants.
Shop for seeds on Trade Me.
Pros of going with established plants and trees
- Instant: If you want a garden that looks good now, established plants are the way to go. These plants are already past the delicate seedling stage, so you can enjoy them almost immediately.
Less fuss: Established plants are easier to care for since they’ve already been through the vulnerable early stages. They’re tougher and need less babysitting than seedlings.
Spring is prime time: Spring is the best time to plant established plants and trees because the weather is just right — mild temps and extra rain help them settle in and grow strong.
Browse all plants and trees on Trade Me.
Ready to get your hands dirty?
By investing in the right plants this season, you’ll create a garden that’s not only beautiful but also bountiful, giving you and your family fresh produce and lovely flowers all year round.
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